Santa Cruz school named best high school in California

Students at Pacific Collegiate School are getting the best education in the state, according to an annual ranking released Wednesday by U.S. News.

Pacific Collegiate School was ranked as the #1 public high school in California and #11 in the country. The only other public Central Coast school that made U.S. News' Top 100 for California was Carmel High School, ranked at #60.

Pacific Collegiate School is a charter school on Swift Street that has 480 students between grades 7-12. Eighty percent of Pacific Collegiate graduates enroll in 4-year colleges or universities.

"Pacific Collegiate School places a strong emphasis on technology and cultural awareness," U.S. News wrote. "Completion of Advanced Placement courses is required for graduation, as is proficiency in at least one foreign language. Students must complete at least 20 hours of community service per year. Parents are also called on to serve, and the school asks each parent to dedicate volunteer hours to help at the school."

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Sunday it was "very alarmed" by reports of widespread doping by track and field athletes in major competitions including the Olympic Games and world championships.